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Police have said a land dispute, rather than an extortion attempt, led to the attack and vandalism at content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio in Dhaka’s ECB Chattar area.
Three people have so far been detained in connection with the incident, which took place at around 10:30pm on Saturday (September 26). No case had been filed as of Sunday, police said.
Muqtadir had alleged that the attack was carried out after he refused to pay extortion money. He said he had heard that someone had demanded money from his studio before the incident.
Studio officials also alleged that the attackers looted equipment, mobile phones and wallets.
Police, however, said there was no extortion incident and that Muqtadir’s studio was not specifically targeted. Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Cantonment Zone Assistant Commissioner Nazmul Alam said the incident stemmed from a dispute over land between New Gini Properties Ltd and the owner of an adjacent plot.
The three people were detained on Saturday night and Sunday morning, according to police.
Muqtadir reported the attack on his verified Facebook page and posted a video showing extensive damage inside the studio. Chairs, tables, televisions and other furniture and equipment were seen damaged, while several employees were seen crying.
In the video, Muqtadir said the studio had been attacked moments earlier and that the entire studio had been destroyed.
Police said investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.